#10 Prophet Muhammad: The Formative Years

As Prophet Muhammad–may Allah’s blessings be upon him–is the “Quran walking,” Muslims strive to learn all they can about his life.

Born in Mecca, 571 C.E., Muhammad (peace be upon him) was from a noble, yet poor branch of the Quraish tribe. The Quraish traced their lineage back to Prophet Abraham(pbuh), through his first son, Ismail (Ishmael), who had been sent with his mother Hajar to the valley of Mecca, under God’s command and guidance.

Muhammad’s father, Abdullah(pbuh), died before his birth, leaving his mother Amina (peace be upon her), both an expectant young mother and grieving widow. She was comforted by heavenly signs throughout her pregnancy, including a light which issued forth from her womb and illuminated the surrounding horizons.

Tragedy struck again, when at the age of six, Muhammad’s mother died. In this way, he personally experienced the loneliness of orphans.

For the next two years, his care was entrusted to his paternal grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, the leader of Meccan tribal society. Abdul-Muttalib had special affection for his grandson, and insisted that Muhammad (pbuh) be present at all of his diplomatic councils: here the young Muhammad (pbuh) absorbed the best examples of Arab tradition: diplomacy, hospitality, and other deeply help values such as honouring covenants, repudiation of injustice, firm will and determination, forbearance, perseverance, and the purity and simplicity of Bedouin life.

After his grandfather’s death, young Muhammad’s care was transferred to his paternal uncle, Abu Talib. Muhammad’s uncle was so touched by the mild and sincere character of his nephew that he preferred him to his own children.

During this phase of life, young Muhammad (pbuh) helped with his uncle’s trading caravans and worked as a shepherd. Alone under the vast desert skies, the young man’s natural inclination towards contemplative solitude was strengthened, as was his connection to the natural world. Also evident in this period was his refusal to participate in the idolatry that had become rampant in Meccan society: even in childhood, Muhammad (pbuh) professed exclusive faith in the One Supreme Deity.

At the age of twenty-five, Muhammad (pbuh) was employed by a twice-widowed noblewoman–Khadijah(pbuh) daughter of Khuwailid–to manage her caravan trade. Impressed by his honesty and good character, she proposed marriage. Muhammad (pbuh) gladly accepted, despite Khadijah’s fifteen year seniority in age. Their serene and harmonious marriage was blessed with six children, four daughters and two sons (both of whom died in infancy), and lasted until Khadijah’s death, twenty-five years later. His attachment to this noble woman was evident, as he referred to the time of her death as the “Year of Sadness.”

Muhammad’s faultless and noble reputation earned him the honorary titles of “the Trustworthy” and “the Truthful”. His diplomacy and sensitivity to the needs of others often found him in the role of peace-maker and community arbitrator.

Muhammad (pbuh) was a man much loved and respected by his community. Yet he found many of their social and religious customs cruel and misguided. As a result, he would often retreat to the mountain cave of Hira, outside of Mecca, for solitude, prayer, and contemplation. It was during one of these solitary retreats, at the age of forty, when the Angel Gabriel (a.s.) appeared to him, commanding, “Recite! In the Name of you Lord, Who has created man from a clot of blood. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not.”(96:1-5)

This was the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Quran, and likewise, the beginning of the period of prophecy for Muhammad (pbuh), may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.